Volendam or Hoorn?
Aug 3rd, 2017, 08:57 AM
#24
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yeah yeah, we know, PalenQ.
Actually I would recommend a village like De Rijp for a look at an authentic, architecturally interesting village that made the big time in the Dutch Golden Age.
http://www.laagholland.com/en/vvv-gr...-schermer/home
Actually I would recommend a village like De Rijp for a look at an authentic, architecturally interesting village that made the big time in the Dutch Golden Age.
http://www.laagholland.com/en/vvv-gr...-schermer/home
Aug 3rd, 2017, 02:23 PM
#25
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https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti..._Province.html
TripAdvisors rate it "excellent" - foriegn tourists, especially Americans, often have different reacdtions that locals - the only thing I found tourist trappish was the Albert Heijn Winkel selling wooden shoes, etc.
And yeh I've always thought wooden shoes so kitschy but it is I'd dare say a top souvenir Americans at least bring back from Holland, along with lace, tulip bulbs and tiny windmills in ceramic.
That said menachem's suggestion of De Rijp and a boat tour looks great.
TripAdvisors rate it "excellent" - foriegn tourists, especially Americans, often have different reacdtions that locals - the only thing I found tourist trappish was the Albert Heijn Winkel selling wooden shoes, etc.
And yeh I've always thought wooden shoes so kitschy but it is I'd dare say a top souvenir Americans at least bring back from Holland, along with lace, tulip bulbs and tiny windmills in ceramic.
That said menachem's suggestion of De Rijp and a boat tour looks great.
Aug 4th, 2017, 06:05 AM
#26
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I don't care if people on tripadvisor rate it excellent. There are so many far better alternatives. You know that Zaanse Schans is an Albert Heijn village, right?
I don't think wooden shoes are kitschy. I wear a very nice pair of Eenrummer klompen for work in the garden. They're excellent for that. Many people still do.
But Zaanse schans has been cobbled together especially for tourists. Zuiderzeemuseum in Enkhuizen operates to the same principle, but there they had a vision of what they wanted to present: the lost culture of the Zuiderzee.
What makes a village like De Rijp such a good destination is that it is a living and breathing village, well preserved, with actual inhabitants. And it's also highly rated on trip advisor, if that's a consolation.
I don't think wooden shoes are kitschy. I wear a very nice pair of Eenrummer klompen for work in the garden. They're excellent for that. Many people still do.
But Zaanse schans has been cobbled together especially for tourists. Zuiderzeemuseum in Enkhuizen operates to the same principle, but there they had a vision of what they wanted to present: the lost culture of the Zuiderzee.
What makes a village like De Rijp such a good destination is that it is a living and breathing village, well preserved, with actual inhabitants. And it's also highly rated on trip advisor, if that's a consolation.
Aug 4th, 2017, 07:41 AM
#27
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You know that Zaanse Schans is an Albert Heijn village, right?>
No -you mean the whole area is owned by Albert Heijn company? Or just the re-created small oldtime village - yes that is a tourist area but the windmills and all?
No -you mean the whole area is owned by Albert Heijn company? Or just the re-created small oldtime village - yes that is a tourist area but the windmills and all?
Aug 4th, 2017, 09:08 PM
#28
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Aug 5th, 2017, 05:51 AM
#29
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Even the Zaanse Museum?
But so what - just because a corporation funds such a thing don't mean it is bad - I do not think they are doing it to sell souvenirs but as a public do-gooder thing.
Anyway I and most Trip Advisor ratings really liked Zaanse Schanse despite who funds it.
I did not find it overly touristy at all except the gift shop in a re-creation of Albert Heijn's original store.
Again the eyes of an American tourist - anyway I liked it a lot - did not see it as a tourist rip-off as most Americans seem to.
But so what - just because a corporation funds such a thing don't mean it is bad - I do not think they are doing it to sell souvenirs but as a public do-gooder thing.
Anyway I and most Trip Advisor ratings really liked Zaanse Schanse despite who funds it.
I did not find it overly touristy at all except the gift shop in a re-creation of Albert Heijn's original store.
Again the eyes of an American tourist - anyway I liked it a lot - did not see it as a tourist rip-off as most Americans seem to.
Aug 5th, 2017, 06:05 AM
#30
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The Albert Heijn shop at Zaanse Schans doesn't sell clogs. The clog maker is in a separate shed.
I know it is what many people think of when they think of "Holland" but those of us who live here are trying to broaden your minds and see more of the real country rather than some Disneyfied view of it.
I last went to ZS about a decade ago and even then, on a "quiet"out of season mid-week day it was wall to wall Chinese tourists and I am told it hasn't improved since.
I know it is what many people think of when they think of "Holland" but those of us who live here are trying to broaden your minds and see more of the real country rather than some Disneyfied view of it.
I last went to ZS about a decade ago and even then, on a "quiet"out of season mid-week day it was wall to wall Chinese tourists and I am told it hasn't improved since.
Aug 5th, 2017, 09:10 AM
#31
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My wife gifted me a tourist bus trip on my birthday, ironically, as a joke. So we did the cheese "farm", Zaanse Schans and Volendam. Listening to the tour guide was really funny.
We got in and we greeted him in Dutch, and he just jumped back and said: "but you're Dutch, what are you doing???"
We got in and we greeted him in Dutch, and he just jumped back and said: "but you're Dutch, what are you doing???"
